One of my favorite authors is Barbara Johnson, a Christian humorist who makes life fun with slogans like: "Pain is inevitable, misery is optional, so stick a geranium in your hat and be happy!"
I love this saying!!!
Here is another one by Barbara: "You have to look for the joy...Look for the light of God that is hitting your life, and you will find sparkles you didn't know were there."
Look for JOY! Yes, look for it!! Why??? Because it brightens your day, your mood, your life and other people's lives.......
You may be asking WHY do we have to look for joy?
Because we take it for granted.
Or, we are so caught up in the stresses of everyday life, that we miss it!
Look for the Light of God! It shines all around us if only we have eyes to see it...it sparkles and shines through every heart that helps a hurting soul....that shows up at just the right moment when we need it most....
JOY: It is all around us and yet, we seldom take the time to find it....see it...savor it.
Joy is in the little things.....and joy is all around us!!!
Take a peek at these ideas:
Do you see the cardinal in the tree? Listen for her call!
Take a second look at your child...see the smile that gleams back at you when you really take the time to look?
Feel the warmth of a hot bath...soak in the heat...feel your cares floating away! Remember the old Calgon bath salts commercial from the 1960's? "Calgon: Take me away!!!" Ahhhh....remember those days of soaking in a hot tub and go try it tonight!
Pick up your dog's toy and throw it for him intentionally for a change! Watch the sparkle in his eye and see the playfulness come out!
Laugh out loud! Yep! A huge, deep down belly laugh!!!
Enjoy the moment and try it again tomorrow....
Listen for your grandchildren's laughter...hear the giggles each time you tickle them!
Get on the floor and wrestle with your dog or your kids! Relish the time with them...cherish them...give them your full attention and your heart! You won't regret it and you will be amazed at what you get in return!!!
Joy abounds!!! Watch the sunrise tomorrow....or, absorb the beauty of the sunset tonight!
Ask a friend, a loved one, or a neighbor to watch it with you....stand there and see how the colors change...shade after shade after beautiful shade.
Lay down on the floor and look up into your Christmas tree this year....see the lights flicker and glow...imagine that first Christmas night: Stars shining brightly and pointing to the manger...stop awhile and look...really look! See the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.
Feel the awe, the wonder, the JOY!!!
Allow God's infinite love to embrace you....an infinite love was born that Christmas night just for you! Just for me.
Feel the joy...share it with everyone you meet! Live a life that shows how much you love and how much you are loved.....see how much love comes back to you in return!
Look for Joy - let it splash on your face, on your life, and into the lives of others!!!
Share the Joy this beautiful season!!!
Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, down in my heart!!!
JOY: Jesus Only You!!!
Jesus.....the reason for the season and yes, the Christ child came to save the world...
He came to save me....He came to save you.
Now that is PURE Joy!!!
